And then there were none.
When Old Colorado City was renovated over a quarter of a century ago, a prominent feature was its historic-style “pawnbroker” lights. About 60 of the triple-globed
units augmented city streetlights for many years, with more than 50 of them still operational as recently as five years ago.
But this month, in response to old-light deterioration and as part of a continuing illumination revamping effort, a contractor with the Old Colorado City Security &
Maintenance District removed the last of the globes and capped off the bases of all but 14 poles. At those locations - retained on the basis of strategic position and
electrical integrity - the poles were reduced in height by about 2 ½ feet and retrofitted for single-headed old-style “gaslights,” according to Ric Geiman, district liason
with Colorado Springs Parks. The size reduction makes them proportional with the two-headed, historic-style streetlights that Colorado Springs Utilities installed in
partnership with the district two years ago, he said.
It was those lights, because they're brighter than their single-headed, “cobra-style” predecessors, that made the globe lights unneeded, the district committee has
previously decided.
“They [the gaslights] add a nice little decorative touch,” said Judy Kasten, chair of the committee. “They don't have a lot of light, but they do enhance a walkway.”
Overall, the project cost the district about $2,500, including the expense of the new lights.
In the last couple of years, the group has also added small black “bollard” lights at street corners.
The district is funded by taxes on the property owners along the avenue between 24th and 27th streets.